California: Rock slide south of Big Sur shuts down Highway 1
Christmas Eve travelers heading to the Big Sur area on Highway 1 on Monday will have to detour after a rock slide caused by heavy rain shut the coastal roadway in both directions. The blockage is seven miles south of Big Sur, according to Caltrans.
“If you’re going to Hearst Castle or Cambria, you’ll be fine,” Caltrans spokesman Colin Jones said. But those heading to Big Sur and points north -- Monterey and Carmel -- will need to take the 101 Freeway north to Highway 68 west.
The slide happened around 5 p.m. Sunday at mile marker 38.70 near Partington Ridge Road. Though crews are working on the problem, as of midday Monday, Caltrans had given no estimated time of reopening.
“Crews will be there all day up until dusk,” Jones said.
That’s not the only part of Highway 1 affected by recent storms. A second, smaller slide blocked the highway at Ragged Point north of San Simeon, but workers cleared the area Monday morning.
The Big Sur area received more than 3 inches of rain in the last 24 hours, according to the National Weather Service.
Check the Caltrans map for updates on travel conditions along Highway 1 or anywhere else in the state.
Mary.Forgione@latimes.com
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